The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-04

young woman whose illegitimate child
you brought out of commissions, when
we were caught In the rain over in Facto-
ry village? The saint she praised so en-
thusiatically for helping that unfortun-
ate person when all others abandoned
her, was my cousin. The woman passing
the park at dusk last week, upon whose
nun-like dress and figure you remarked,
was she. She had been on a charitable
mission, and, basket in hand, was return
ing to her retreat. Few know of her be-
ing here, most Of her friends suppose her
still abroad. The music you heard from
her balcony, was her voice and her guitar,
the latter Gonzales's gift, and this she
treasures as sacredly as the ring he placed
on her finger, and which she has never
never allowed to be taken off. Now, my
dear Doctor, l am puzzled to understand
her case, and L confess I am seriously
troubled when attempt to study it with
reference to her future. Can it be that
there is touch OF latent insanity there?
And yet she is so far from any present
indications in that direction. She is al
ways calm and dignifed, with lingering
sadness it is true, even in her smile, but
apparently holding herself under perfect
control with a mastery, seeming to me,
the result Of continued prayer and earn
est effort. We're she living in France or
Italy, her choice would doubtless be the
cloister. In America, and with all her
antecedents and surroundings, with the
Saxon blood of generations in her veins,
it is possible she has taken the best course
for herself to work out the problem of
life in this way, but il is pitiful, pitiful.
Now what do you think about the case
from a professional standpoint? 1t is Of
this l wished to ask YOU" 81 see no
cause for ALARM replied. "On the con-
trary, her course seems most natural I'M
der the circumstances, if, as is to be sup
posed, her love for Gonzales was deep
and enduring"
Wrecked in her earthly hopes aud de-
voting her life for the good of suffering
humanity, she could not carry out her
ideal by mingling in society, as it exists
in her circle of life. Her keeping aloof
from her stepmother is, to my mind, no
proof Of a morbid condition, but rather the
inevitable result of the events of the past,
and of the inherent incongeniality of two
opposite natures" spoke rapidly feeling
strangely excited, as / asked: Con what
part of the Island did this Gonzales live?'
cat Matanzes; his father owned extern
sive sugar plantations in that vicinity
"Please give me his full name?" "Man-
uel Gonzales Mendoza, that was his sig
nature. 1 have it in the letter received
from him on his return voyage" "Will you
show me that letter, Frank?" Certainly
l kept it for the beauty of the penmanship
which is as fine as engraving" Frank
said I, SUDDENLY rising,"I believe the hand
OF the Lord is in this! Come in with me,
must see that document. II mistake not,
can give you a sequel to this history as
strange as that you have told me-" One
look at the familiar signature sufficed.
All was plain to me.
"Carrollv' said I, taking Manuers last
letter from my pocket and spreading it
before him, ''This was received yesterday
from my future brother in law, Manuel
Gonzales Mendoza. He is to be in New
York next week. IT is to meet him, that
leave you few days sooner than I in
tended" "Great Godr' cried Carroll,
looking at the writing excitedly and
clutching my arm, "You don't mean to
say Gonzales is still livingT "Undoubt-
eddy and one of the noblest men 1 know.
Now sit down at the table here, and
will give you the sequel, as far as know
insurgents, but finally recovered, not
withstanding his death was reported. He
has always been little lame since, and
bears scar upon his breast from
thrust that came near putting an end to
his existence. How wonderfully strange"
l continued, as Frank listened with in
tense interest, +" that a mistake like this
has divided two hearts and lives so long.
"My friend was very sick three years ago,
and thinks saved his life. His affection
for me became very strong, and it is
through this friendship that 1 have
gained the browning joy of my own life,
his sister, Camilla, my betrothed wife.
I'm the course of out intimacy, Manuel
has related something OF his early disap-
pointment in the loss of his white Lily
as he always called her, whom he sup
poses transplanted to the heavenly life.
1t must be, his letter announcing his
speedy return was written while she was
abroad, for madam wrote him of her
death, also enclosing slip cut from a
newspaper announcing the fact. In relat-
ing this to me, Manuel mentioned no
names, nor did he designate the place
where these tragical events occurred"
Astounding said Carroll, bringing his
hand down upon the table with emphasis,
and that notice did actually appear among
the items of Paris correspondent. 1t
was Mrs. Carroll, however, but was
supposed at first to be my cousin. 1t is
probable that Gonzales's letter arrived
about that time, and madam really sup
posed the announcement correct. L was
away during that time, and my aunt
never told me anything about it, in fact,
she would naturally keep the matter TO